Born with a female brain, but physically male, Tur suffers from Gender Identity Disorder (GID) and has been fitted with two Estradiol microsurgical implants that have already begun transforming his 6 foot tall male frame, to that of a 154 lbs. female. Along with facial feminization and sexual reassignment surgery, Tur expects to make the journey from male, to female in just over 12 months.

Despite a lifetime of gender dysphoria, and identifying as female, Tur has made a name for himself as the ultra-macho daring helicopter pilot-reporter, who flew through 60-knot winds in 1988 to airlift 54 people, at night from the roof of a seaside hotel as it was battered by 25 foot waves. Tur again made headlines by dodging bullets to fly, and report the beating of trucker Reginald Denny, leading to the 1992 Los Angeles Riots. Then again, in 1994, Tur transfixed the nation by being first to find and televise O.J. Simpson’s infamous slow-speed pursuit.

Tur, who will be having her gender and name changed from Robert to Zoey in November, has been chronicling her transition on Facebook (Robert Zoey Tur), and is considering the creation a broadcast documentary series in hopes of raising awareness, and support for those that suffer from this genetic disorder.